Benzodiazepines as oral premedication. A comparison between oxazepam, flunitrazepam and placebo

Abstract

Oxazepam 25 mg, flunitrazepam 1 mg and placebo were compared as oral premedication in 602 gynecological patients in a double-blind randomised parallel study. In 251 patients undergoing major surgery the same drug was also given as a hypnotic the night before the operation. Both active drugs shortened the sleep-onset time, decreased the number of spontaneous awakenings at night and improved the quality of sleep when compared to placebo. The active drugs were significantly better than placebo as premedication when assessed by both the patients and the anesthesiologist. In 351 patients admitted for day-case minor surgery with no previous night medication, flunitrazepam was significantly better than placebo as premedication when assessed by both the patients and the anesthesiologist, while oxazepam was only better than placebo when judged by the anesthesiologist, not by the patients.

Psychotropic Medications for Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

“…Short‐acting BZDs (eg, midazolam, diazepam) are used for sedation and amnesia for minor procedures such as nasogastric tube placement, changing gastrostomy appliances, and in outpatient surgeries (40). There is no role for short‐acting BZDs for chronic abdominal pain or nausea.…”

Comparison between alprazolam and hydroxyzine for oral premedication

“…It is appreciated by patients, nurses and anaesthetists because it is easy to use and comfortable, and avoids painful injection. 2,3 Given with a limited amount of water, it does not increase the risk of gastric aspiration during anaesthesia. 11,12 The comparison of the two groups revealed no difference in anxiety and sedation before premedication.…”